The World Health Organization (WHO) and its Regional Office for Africa observed the 24th African Traditional Medicine Day across Africa on August 31, 2026, with discussions focused on integrating traditional medicine into primary care as part of efforts to advance universal health coverage.
The theme for this year’s observance was “Reflection on research and development efforts of traditional medicine towards achieving universal health coverage in the African Region.” The discussions were led by WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Centre and the WHO Regional Office for Africa.
The event placed emphasis on the role of research and development in moving traditional medicine from research to reach. It also highlighted evidence, innovation and community trust as important considerations in that process.
Focus on integration and evidence
WHO convened the discussions around the integration of traditional medicine into primary care. The stated focus was to examine how research and development efforts could support progress towards universal health coverage in the African Region.
The observance did not present traditional medicine as separate from primary care in the discussion. Instead, it centred on how evidence and innovation could inform its integration, while recognising the importance of trust within communities.
African Traditional Medicine Day was observed for the 24th time in 2026. The day’s theme linked the observance to universal health coverage and to ongoing research and development efforts concerning traditional medicine in the region.
The WHO-led conversation brought together the organisation’s Global Traditional Medicine Centre and its Regional Office for Africa around the stated need to connect research with practical reach. Its emphasis remained on evidence, innovation, community trust and the place of traditional medicine in primary care.